The HNK-1 epitope in the pseudophakic and aphakic eye and secondary cataract.
OBJECTIVE
To search for changes in the presence and distribution of the cell-adhesion-related HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope after cataract extraction.


METHODS
Twenty-five pseudophakic and two aphakic human autopsy eyes and, for comparison, one anterior subcapsular cataract obtained at surgery were studied with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) HNK-1 and NC-1 to the HNK-1 epitope using the avidin-biotinylated peroxidase complex method.


RESULTS
MAbs to the HNK-1 epitope constantly immunolabelled the inner connective tissue layer of the ciliary body in all pseudophakic and aphakic eyes studied. The distribution of the immunoreaction was similar to that reported for normal eyes. They also labelled the extracellular matrix in each of 18 plaques of secondary cataract on the posterior capsule, in each of 13 plaques at the rim of the capsular bag, and in the anterior subcapsular cataract. Bladder cells in each of 16 Soemmering's rings remained unlabelled.


CONCLUSIONS
The distribution of the HNK-1 epitope in the ciliary body does not appreciably change after cataract extraction, although the accommodative demand of the eye is altered. Its presence in an anterior subcapsular cataract suggests that the epitope may be locally produced by lens epithelial cells also in secondary cataract. The epitope is associated with cell adhesion and migration, both of which may play a role in the pathogenesis of secondary cataract.
Uusitalo
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland. msuusita@cc.helsinki.fi
Kivelä
T
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001035:Aphakia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018959:CD57 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019591:Pseudophakia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018959:CD57 Antigens; D000939:Epitopes